Great
Lakes
National
Program
On the Web at:
www.epa.gov/greatlakes
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO)
Significant Activities Report
October 2005
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Wisconsin Automobile Mercury
Switch Collection Project
•Mudpuppy's Busy October
• Habitat Grant Awards
• Japanese Visitors Study Environ-
mental Restoration Methods
• Lake Superior Hazardous Waste
Collection
Wisconsin Automobile Mercury
Switch Collection Project
In September 2001, USEPA's Great Lakes
National Program Office awarded the Wis-
consin Department of Natural Resources
(WDNR) a $65,000 grant to establish an
Automotive Mercury Switch Collection
Project (Project) with the auto and scrap re-
cycling industry.
This successful project had a number of
positive impacts:
• It established a collection program that
is on-going,
• It furthered the development of positive
relationships between the industry group
and the WDNR,
• It resulted in keeping 796 pounds of
mercury waste from entering the envi-
ronment during the processing, smelt-
ing, shredding of scrap material,
• It collected over 50,000 mercury
switches from scrapped automobiles,
• It was accomplished at minimal cost
($65,000 for the 4 years),
Examples of the types of mercury switches collected
(photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR)
• It assisted the automotive recyclers in
helping to meet their Best Management
Practice required in their Storm Water
Permit,
• It was able to provide recognition to
those participants by the highest level of
state government (Governor and Secre-
tary of WDNR) and
• It provided a basis for further discus-
sions/involvement with other responsible
industry groups in future efforts.
Additional information about the WDNR's
mercury collection program is available on
their Web Site at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/
cea/assistance/scrap/switches/index.htm
(Contact: Tony Kizlauskas, 312-353-8773,
kizlauskas.anthony@epa.gov)
Mudpuppy's Busy October
The Great Lakes National Program Office's
32-foot sediment research boat, the R/VMud-
puppy had a busy October, completing trips
-------
October 2005
Significant Activities Report
to several Great Lakes Areas of Concern to
characterize the condition of bottom sedi-
ments or to check on sediment cleanups.
Muskegon Lake
Scientists from GLNPO and the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality ob-
tained twenty-three sediment core samples
and twenty-three Ponar surface samples at
the Division Street outfall in Muskegon
Lake from October 3rd to 5th. The Ponars
and cores taken on board the R/VMudpuppy
will be analyzed for polychlorinated biphen-
yls (PCBs) and metals. There were two ob-
jectives for this sampling:
1. To understand the micro-distribution of
contaminants in sediments, both verti-
cally and horizontally; and
2. To understand Muskegon Lake PCB and
metal concentrations at Division Street
outfall. This work is part of a Great
Lakes Legacy Act sediment monitoring
project at Ryerson Creek.
(Contact: Alie Muneer, 312-886-8031, mu-
neer.alie@epa.gov)
Black Lagoon
On October 11th, the R/VMudpuppy visited
the Black Lagoon (being cleaned up under
USEPA's Legacy Act authority) to take
cores to confirm that the residual sand layer
cap (part of the final phase of cleanup) was
placed.
(Contact: Marc Tuchman, 312-353-1369,
tuchman.marc@epa.gov)
Trenton Channel
On October 12th, the R/V'Mudpuppy col-
lected sediment samples on the Trenton
Channel of the Detroit River Area of Con-
cern, located in Riverview, Michigan. The
sampling took place on the western shore of
the Trenton Channel, adjacent to the BASF
R/V Mudpuppy retrieving sediment core sample
and Arkema industrial sites, and upstream
of the Grosse He toll bridge. The sampling
plan called for the Mudpuppy crew to col-
lect five Ponar dredge samples at each of
three designated locations. In 2004, surficial
sediment samples were collected at these
three locations and found to have mercury
concentrations above 20 mg/kg. The pur-
pose of the Ponar samples was to confirm
and further characterize the extent of mer-
cury concentration in the vicinity of the
three sites. The Ponar dredge samples were
processed on site by the Mudpuppy crew,
bottled, and transferred to the Michigan De-
partment of Environmental Quality for mer-
cury analysis. Additionally, four vibracore
samples were obtained in the northern por-
tion of the study area, adjacent to the
Arkema industrial property. The purpose of
these samples was to measure the depth of
sediment in the area, and to quantify the ex-
tent of contamination by mercury and poly-
cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Ana-
lytical results for both sample sets are pend-
ing.
(Contact: Dave Wethington, 312-886-1437,
wethington.david@epa.gov).
Saginaw River
On October 18th tp 20th, 2005 the R/VMud-
puppy was in Saginaw, Michigan to provide
Page 2
U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office
-------
Significant Activities Report
October 2005
support to the State of Michigan in delineat-
ing dioxin levels in Saginaw River sedi-
ments. Sediment cores and surficial samples
were collected in 18 sampling locations for
dioxin analysis. The samples will help
Michigan DEQ confirm and delineate the
extent of a dioxin hot spot near the City of
Saginaw.
(Contact: Scott Cieniawski, 312-353-9184,
cieniawski.scott@epa.gov)
Habitat Grant Awards
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
has been the grant servicing intermediary
for GLNPO habitat-related grants for two
years, with the third year of sub-grants just
being awarded. In FY 2003 and 2004, the
more than $1.1 million was awarded for 29
projects approved by GLNPO. Of the 29
projects, seven have been completed:
STREAMS Educational Outreach Fo-
rums (NFWF 2005-0005-002)
Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
$10,815.
More than 270 streambank rehabilitation
professionals from 19 states attended a con-
ference to learn about stable stream proc-
esses and water resource management. The
goal was to enhance the capabilities of pro-
fessionals regarding natural channel design.
Wetlands C.P.R. Toolkit (NFWF 2004-
0005-006)
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council.
$19,317.
A wetland resource toolbox was developed
to promote citizen wetland conservation
protection and restoration throughout the
Great Lakes basin. The toolbox is found at:
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/
GLAHNF_wetlands_packet/cover_letter.
htm
Sjgnrllcanl Bird Habitat
-
Significant Bird Habitat map from Ohio Coastal Atlas
(graphics courtesy of Ohio DNR)
Brownfields-Greenfields Policy Roundta-
ble (NFWF 2004-0005-007)
Great Lakes Commission. $20,000.
A policy roundtable for state officials link-
ing brownfields and greenfields protection
was held to increase their knowledge about
options for land protection. Information
about this and other roundtables is found at:
http://glc.org/landuse/index.html
Ohio Coastal Atlas (NFWF 2004-0005-
102)
Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
$5,000.
The colorful atlas addresses habitat manage-
ment and related education issues in the
Ohio portion of the Lake Erie basin. The at-
las is found at: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/
coastal/gis/coastalatlasmaps.htm
Wild Ones Natural Landscapers 25 Year
History Book (NFWF 2004-0005-115)
Wild Ones Natural Landscapers. $5,000.
This project provided support to print 6,000
copies of a 30-page document of Wild Ones
historical accomplishments.
Great Lakes Communications Toolbox
(NFWF 2004-0005-111)
Biodiversity Project. $4,800.
The Great Lakes Communications Toolbox
is a CD ROM produced to enable citizens
U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office
Page3
-------
October 2005
Significant Activities Report
and community-based groups to promote
awareness of water quality and quantity,
habitat protection, and invasive species. 120
groups applied for and received the toolbox.
Road Crossings Training Program
(NFWF 2004-0005-114)
University of Wisconsin Extension Service.
$5,000.
Thirty-three people attended a workshop in
Ashland, Wisconsin about how to build fish
friendly stream crossings. Attendees were
from municipal, county and tribal govern-
ments. Part of the program included a field
day to Silver Creek to cover engineering
and fish biology and discuss construction
practices needed to design and build fish-
friendly water crossings.
(Contact: Karen Rodriguez, 312-353-2690,
rodriguez.karen@epa.gov)
Japanese Visitors Study Environ-
mental Restoration Methods
On October 13th and 14th GLNPO staff as-
sisted Region 5 in hosting six visitors from
Japan interested in lake and river cleanup
and restoration and cooperative restoration
efforts. The visitors were chief researchers
from the Foundation of River and Water-
GLNPO's Karen Rodriguez (second from left) with
Japanese visitors
(photo courtesy of Tohru Abe)
Some of the pesticides turned in at the Red Rock,
Minnesota hazardous waste collection event
(photo courtesy of Jim Bailey/ecosuperior.com)
shed Environment Management in Tokyo.
GLNPO staff talked about Great Lakes en-
vironmental problems, progress, and the Re-
gional Collaboration. Staff also accompa-
nied the group to Northerly Island and the
Magic Hedge at Montrose Harbor with City
of Chicago Department of Environment
staff to learn about lakefront restoration and
Chicago Wilderness.
(Contact: Karen Rodriguez, 312-353-2690,
rodriguez.karen@epa.gov)
Lake Superior Hazardous Waste
Collection
In accordance with Lake Superior LaMP
priorites, household hazardous waste collec-
tions held in the small, Canadian Lake Su-
perior North Shore towns of Red Rock and
Wawa, Ontario, Saturday and Sunday, Oc-
tober 29th and 30th. Area residents brought
in substantial quantitites of old oil, paint,
solvents, pesticides, mercury, creosote,
cleaning products, batteries, propane tanks,
etc.
The purpose of the collection was to reduce
the volume of toxic substances that would
be landfilled or simply poured down a drain
Page 4
U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office
-------
Significant Activities Report
October 2005
into the municipal sewer system or even
poured directly into the ground. Products
were collected by a certified hazardous-
waste carrier and recycled or disposed of in
accordance with Ontario Ministry of the En-
vironment regulations.
Red Rock and Wawa town councils demon-
strated their support by hosting the one-day
events, and area residents demonstrated
their support through their participation in
the events. Comments from participants
about the events were highly positive, and
many of them asked when the next event
would be held. The events were coordinated
by EcoSuperior Environmental Programs, a
non-profit group from Thunder Bay, in part-
nership with the Townships of Red Rock
and Wawa. Financial support was provided
by the Ontario Ministry of Environment and
Environment Canada.
(Contact: Elizabeth LaPlante, 312-353-
2694, laplante.elizabeth@epa.gov)
Upcoming Events
December 6th-
December 12
November 1-3
2005
Great Lakes Binational
Toxics Strategy Stakeholder
Forum and Integration
Workgroup, Chicago, Illi-
nois
Great Lakes Regional Col-
laboration Summit II, Chi-
cago, Illinois
2006
State of the Lakes Ecosys-
tem Conference
(SOLEC) 2006
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
We welcome your questions, comments or
suggestions about this month's Significant
Activities Report. To be added to or re-
moved from the Email distribution of the
Significant Activities Report, please contact
Tony Kizlauskas, 312-353-8773,
kizlauskas.anthony@epa.gov.
U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office
PageS
------- |